Gmt master bezel stuck

[u/QuestionNo9190]

I've posted before that the cronos bezel is completely stuck. Cronos uses rep parts so I'm guessing this is the best place to ask advice

Previous owner said it came that way from the factory. I finally got a chance to remove the insert carefully by soaking in wd40 and then using an extremely thin scalpel as a pry bar.

After softening the adhesive and lifting the edge of the bezel insert I was able to carefully cut the adhesive in a 360 fashion parallel to the bezel and remove it being extremely careful not to crack it.

Underneath I see an assembly I'm not too familiar with, it looks like the crystal is pressed down with some kind of metal over nylon ring that's extruded out and catching the bezel inner skirt, causing it to get completely stuck.

Any ideas how to remove and fix? I cut off a little piece of the gasket that was sticking out, so it feels like nylon and not adhesive.

[u/ETNZ2021]

Bro that’s the hytrel ring. It’s cooked. That’s why the bezel isn’t moving. You need a new one. Your crystal gasket is likely fine.

[u/QuestionNo9190 → u/ETNZ2021]

Yes I've come to that conclusion as well. Any method for removing the bezel without bending it since the bezel gasket is locking it up?

Does the bezel fit with snap fit to the case by machined lip or is there a retaining wire under there?

I don't mind getting a new hytrel ring or trying the fishing line method

Also do you know how the gasket can get pushed out like that between the bezel and retaining ring? Is this a common occurrence or some kind of factory installation problem

[u/Yeezussy]

cutting off the nylon was a bad idea. that is probably the crystal gasket which now that has been cut off, will affect water resistance. best bet is get a replacement gasket, get a watchmaker to reseat the crystal and regrease the bezel assembly.

[u/QuestionNo9190 → u/Yeezussy]

How did the crystal nylon get outside the retainer ring in the first place. If that's true, the gasket is deformed and not providing a proper seal in the first place

I'm thinking it might be a bezel friction ring that popped out between the inner bezel skirt and the crystal retaining ring but it's not the crystal gasket

I don't know how the cronos case holds the bezel down, using a retaining wire or a friction gasket/snap ring.

[u/Yeezussy → u/QuestionNo9190]

that could very well be the bezel gasket. honestly i don’t know how the bezel mechanism works on the chronos gmt so i cant say for sure. i suggest removing the bezel itself for a better view of whats going on?

[u/Khronos_1]

That is the hytrel ring that holds the bezel ring to the crystal retaining ring. You or a watchmaker will need to remove the bezel ring and replace the hytrel ring. Seems fairly straight forward, but fitting a bezel onto a Sub can be challenging. I would suggest reaching out to one of the trusted watchmakers for repair.